One of my favorite things about the electric vehicle industry is the diversity of EV designs and types on the market. Part of the reason is because of the way electric drivetrains help break the mold of aging design constraints, but a new wave of forward-thinking engineers is boldly pushing products in new and exciting directions. It also depends on the situation.
As electricAs a resident tester of everything but cars, I've been lucky enough to get behind, above, and inside some interesting, far-flung forms of electric transport. Here are the top five wildest and most awesome personal electric cars I tested for 2022.
Polaris Ranger XP Kinetic
I was blown away by the Polaris RANGER XP Kinetic. I didn't know what to expect, but during the test drive, I was grinning so much that I thought my mouth would be choked.
And the crazy part is this is not meant to be a thrilling joyride. These are utility vehicles. Built to perform the hard day's work, towing trailers, hauling tools and basic side-by-side utilities on countless farms, ranches and work sites around the world.
Still, it felt like I was flying in a grown-up go-kart, hurling dirt in all directions when I pulled some serious G's in turns. , and it's great with that. But it's also a lot of fun to drive.
The power is incredible and the vehicle is still very quiet. As such, it's perfect for hunters, nature lovers, and anyone who wants to trek deep into the forest without disturbing the local animals.
If you're in the UTV market and want the benefits that electric drive offers, the XP Kinetic should be at the top of your list. When they were announced late last year, they sold out almost instantly, and no one knows when they'll be able to produce enough to meet current demand.
Want to see it in action in my video below or check out my full review!
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CYMZCi8Bmo[/embed]
Arcimoto FUV
Why drive around on 4 wheels when 3 wheels work? That's the idea behind the Arcimoto FUV. It's like an autocycle that meets motorcycle class regulations, creating a super-fun, high-powered electric car that gets attention wherever it goes.
The tadpole tricycle design places two wheels in front and is very stable. And since he's sitting in a real bucket seat instead of a bike-style saddle, he feels safe in tight turns. He is different from a three-wheeled bike that must be counterbalanced by leaning to one side. The Arcimoto FUV feels as much like a car as riding on three wheels.
I was lucky enough to steal one for a few days while attending the Micromobility America 2022 conference in San Francisco this fall. There I used it as my primary mode of transportation to move around the city. From winding down downtown streets to crossing bridges at top speed (just under 80 miles per hour), the FUV was a blast.
Charging the J-1772 means you can pull it to a Level 2 public charger to refill the battery, and dual seats give you the option of carrying passengers in the back seat or tossing bags and other junk. I was. There was also a small locking trunk in the back that was big enough for a few grocery bags and a backpack.
It's not the most practical EV I've ever seen, but a FUV will allow you to carry passengers more safely and even do the actual grocery shopping and other simple tasks. So it's actually more practical than an electric bike. I doubt it will be the only good vehicle for most people, but it would be a great "second car" if not really a car.
For Fancy, check out the video from last summer when we first test drove the FUV.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhLsNSVtlIc[/embed]
Candela C-8
Experiencing Candela's flying electric boat feels like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Somehow I was lucky enough to experience her twice in my lifetime. Last summer, I tested the company's first model, the Candela C-7. This summer I returned to the beautiful Stockholm archipelago to test drive the company's latest model, the Candela C-8.
The C-8 is an entirely different beast. It still flies on computer-controlled hydrofoils, dropping the boat's energy usage to a fraction of other fossil fuel-powered and V-hull electric boats. However, there is a big difference from the C-7.
The C-8 is larger, has a completely different motor (it's an engineering work of art), is designed for mass production, has an under deck cabin for sleeping or is fitted with a marine toilet and shower. can do. A great rear daybed for lounging on the water.
The simplicity on the pilot's side is due to the very sophisticated hardware and software interaction between the flight computer and the C-8's hydrofoil, but I was pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to control the boat. It was all designed in-house by Candela engineers and works like a masterpiece of aviation and maritime technology.
A fascinating electric boat that you should see for yourself in my video below.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvldC99-2oQ[/embed]
LiveWire S2 Del Mar
We've tested so many great electric bikes this year, it's hard to pick just one from this list. Energicas were very strong. Going off-road with the new Zero DSR/X was a blast. Smaller e-motos like the Ryvid Anthem and CSC RX1E were enthusiastic in their own way. Even the SONDORS Metacycle was pleasantly surprised. But nothing beats throwing a leg in one of his most anticipated electric bikes in years: the LiveWire S2 Del Mar.
LiveWire is an electric motorcycle brand spun off from Harley-Davidson. We already have a great bike in the form of the LiveWire One, but that model was developed by HD. LiveWire's first independent electric motorcycle is the S2 Del Mar. This hasn't shipped yet, but I somehow convinced someone that it was important enough for me to ride it.
In fact, as far as I know, I'm one of only two journalists to ever test drive the LiveWire S2 Del Mar, months ahead of its expected rollout. And the other guy apparently didn't know which way a motorcycle's throttle would twist, so I'm still thinking the detailed review for 2022 is mine.
The LiveWire S2 Del Mar is widely regarded as a more affordable successor to the LiveWire One, with prices approaching $17,000. So we thought this bike would be more subdued than his LiveWire One, but we were wrong!The S2 Del Mar is a beast in its own right.
The Del Mar has a punchy acceleration, hitting 60 mph in just over three seconds. I think the official time is 3.1 seconds, but your ass can't tell the difference.
We don't yet know the actual battery or range specs as we're waiting for LiveWire to provide final details, but we don't expect the bike to be made for touring.The battery capacity is around 10 kWh. I think it will be That said, it's good enough for commuting, but not impressive when it comes to highway mileage. But I feel that this bike is all about ride quality, so that's fine with me. It's not for cruising across the country, it's for cruising LA. It's a powerful bike that's all sporty enough to fit in urban and suburban areas, yet has the speed and power to handle interstates. However, it is not suitable for long distance touring.
The comfy seat position gives it that authentic roadster vibe, but with a hint of HD DNA left in it, it's a whole new beast that's sure to make it more appealing to my generation. .
Check out our test drive at Delmar below.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaaO2Xl-dXg[/embed]
Chinese electric light truck
You'll never get bored with this tiny electric mini truck. myIt's all mine! Bought on Alibaba, imported from China to the US, and now lives on my parents' ranch.
It's there because it's not really legal, but it still works well as an off-road vehicle. It is used for various chores such as dumping (did I mention it has a hydraulic dump bed).
With a peak output of around 5 kW, it's not particularly powerful, but it's enough for a light truck that doesn't need to go very fast. It cost me $2,000 as a base price, but I put in a lot of upgrades before leaving China, so the price went up, to about $3,500. was.
Shipping to the US cost an additional $2,200, but it was worth it. Golf carts cost him $8,000-$10,000 these days, so I'm glad it was cheaper. Locking doors, electric windows, real seats, glove box, backup camera, infotainment center and other comforts underscore this car's "real car." I've been using it for a year and it's been great. My parents have run more miles than I have and so far no problems.
We also did a number of upgrades, such as humped tires, roof-mounted solar panels, and a planned bed liner (still in the works).
It may seem silly, but it has proven to be well worth the investment (and risk) to implement it!
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